When the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madeenah Munawwarah, the water of Madeenah Munawwarah did not agree with them. However, one of the water sources from which the Muhaajireen (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were able to drink comfortably was a well which belonged to a person from the tribe of Ghifaar. The name of the well was ‘Roomah’, and this Sahaabi would earn his livelihood by selling the water of this well.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked this Sahaabi, “Will you sell it to me in exchange for a well in Jannah?” This was a mere request of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and not an instruction, hence not binding. Therefore, this Sahaabi excused himself saying, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! My dependents and I do not have anything (i.e. any means of income) besides it.”
According to some narrations, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) even said, “Whoever purchases the well of Roomah, Allah Ta‘ala will forgive him.”
When Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to know of what had transpired, he went to the owner of the well and paid him thirty-five thousand dirhams (silver coins) for the well of Roomah.
Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter went to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “Will you offer me the same (reward) that you promised him?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes.” Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, “I have indeed purchased it and donated it to the Muslims (i.e. the Muslims are free to draw water from it at no cost).”
(Sunan Nasaai #3184 and Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #4774)
Lessons:
1. In this material world, we are always looking and searching for deals and sales where we can grab the opportunity to acquire items of great value for a small price. In fact, people will even queue outside a shop or on a website for hours in order to purchase something just because of the fantastic deal. In a very similar manner, Allah Ta‘ala also gives opportunities time and again. At times, these opportunities come on specific dates like Ramadhaan, Lailatul Baraa-ah, the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, etc. However, many a time, these opportunities come randomly when we are not expecting them, such as a beggar knocking at our door, a desperate person asking for assistance, some desire of our parents, etc. We should always be on the lookout for these opportunities in order to secure our forgiveness and earn our Jannah. Hence, when Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard of the reward promised by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he purchased the well and gave it in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, thereby earning the reward promised by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
2. Bringing comfort to people who are in discomfort and difficulty is a means of earning great reward from Allah Ta‘ala and is one of the greatest means of acquiring the help and assistance of Allah Ta‘ala. This can be done in numerous ways such as financial assistance, feeding, physically assisting, etc. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said, “Whoever relieves a believer of a worldly burden, Allah Ta‘ala will relieve him of a burden from the burdens of the Day of Qiyaamah.” He further said, “Allah Ta‘ala helps His slave as long as that slave is engaged in helping his brother.” (Saheeh Muslim #6853)
3. Sayyiduna Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not wait for an instruction or suggestion from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rather, as soon as he heard that the desire of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was for the well of Roomah to be donated for the benefit of the Muslims, he went forward and fulfilled this desire, and only informed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) about it once it was done. In the similar manner, we should not wait for our parents or elders to instruct us or request us to do something, rather we must offer ourselves and volunteer to be of service to them and to fulfil their needs and even their desires without them even asking us to do so. In this way, we will bring great joy to their hearts and thereby earn their heartfelt du‘aas.
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